By Dave Siderski

Overall, there have been 12 Star Trek Feature Films made over the past 35 years, including six featuring the original series crew, four based on the Next Generation sequel series and two from J.J Abrams recent alternate timeline series based on the original crew. These films have ranged in quality from outstanding to utterly mediocre. With this in mind, here is my ranking of all the Star Trek films from worst to first.

12. Star Trek: Nemesis (2002). In my view this was the least enjoyable film of the Star Trek series. Captain Picard runs into his evil clone, Shinzon, who’s taken over the Romulan Empire and ultimately defeats him in a battle of wills. However, Shinzon is simply not believable as an alter ego to Picard. At least the film wraps up some notable plot lines, including Riker finally getting his shot at the Captain’s chair and marrying his long time love, Counselor Troi. But overall, it was a complete dud.

11. Star Trek: The Motion Picture (1979). Star Trek’s first foray into Motion Pictures was a major disappointment. The movie ran well over two hours with little action. V’Ger, later revealed to be the Voyager probe from the 1970’s, returns from its centuries old journey, having amassed so much knowledge it achieved consciousness of its own. Kirk and crew aid V’Ger in transmitting data to its creator (man). This would have been ok as an Original Series episode but falls far short of feature film expectations

10. Star Trek: Generations (1994). This highly anticipated, historic meeting between Captains Kirk and Picard fell completely flat. The first 15 minutes were promising with Kirk saving the Enterprise B from an energy ribbon. However, his purpose in the remainder of the film was contrived. It seemed like the sole goal of the writers was to find a way to kill him off.
As far as Picard and the Enterprise D. The story line of battling the evil Soren and trying to stop him from destroying the Veridian star system was ok, but not great. The Data as emotional child portrayal is an annoying distraction throughout the movie. This film tried to tie in too many storylines that just didn’t fit together which reflected in an end product that was utterly forgettable.

9. Star Trek V: The Final Frontier (1989). The fifth installment of the Original Star Trek film series was mediocre at best. A mad-man named Sybok, who also happens to be Spock’s half-brother,
is on a mission to find God. Talk about cheesy! Sybok captures the Enterprise and uses his telepathic abilities to control the minds of the Enterprise crew. It’s interesting this trick works on all except Kirk, Spock, and McCoy….and also Scotty.

Under Sybok’s control, the Enterprise is set to meet the almighty. Sybok’s excitement about realizing his lifelong vision quickly turns to disappointment when he realizes, “God” is an angry, imprisoned figment of his own imagination. The one highlight of the film is when Captain Kirk quips: “Well don’t just stand there! God’s a busy man!

8. Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home (1986). This story line was pretty cheesy as well. Kirk and the Enterprise crew, travel back in time to the 1980’s attempting to capture two humpback whales to respond to a mysterious alien probe which is attempting to contact the now extinct species.

The Enterprise crew’s attempts to assimilate to 1980’s San Francisco produces some humorous moments such as Kirk’s utterance of “double dumb ass on you” and Spock’s: “no dip s**t maam”. An attractive scientist, Dr. Gillian Taylor played by Catherine Hicks, eventually aids the Enterprise in persuading two humpback whales: “George and Gracie”, to return with them to the 24th century. Kirk and crew once again save the day at the last minute. The film was cute and very popular at the time fun but not really in line with the spirit of the Original Series.

7. Star Trek: (2009). J.J. Abrams’ remake of the original Star Trek creates an intriguing alternate timeline for the Enterprise and crew. Old Spock”, from the future, fails in an attempt to save the planet Romulus from destruction. A mad man named Nero, who blames Spock for the destruction of his world, is vaulted back in time and attacks the USS Kelvin, killing George Kirk and leaving newly born son James T., fatherless.

Without a father, Kirk, played by Chris Pine, becomes a petulant brat until Captain Christopher Pike persuades him to join Starfleet. Cadet Kirk ascends to Captain during the course of the movie saving planet Earth from destruction at the hands of the evil Nero. Kirk’s rapid ascension to the Captain’s chair defies believability. However, other than that, the film is outstanding. In particular, Zachary Quinto’s portrayal of a slightly darker version of version of Spock, disillusioned by the destruction of Vulcan is brilliant. The film remains true to the spirit of the original while adding its own unique twist to the characters.

6. Star Trek: First Contact (1996). The second installment of the Next Gen film series had all the action and drama that Star Trek: Generations lacked. However, it has one glaring flaw. Last we’d seen the Borg, they’d been left in disarray after being infected by “Hugh” consciousness of his own individuality. Now, less than 5 minutes into the movie, they are making another attempt to assimilate Earth. What the hell happened in between?

Captain Picard and the Enterprise E follow the Borg, who are attempting to prevent Zefram Cochrane’s first contact experience with the Vulcans, back to the 21st century. The Enterprise destroys the Borg ship. However, the Borg infest the Enterprise. Picard, consumed with rage over his personal experiences with the Borg, is hell bent on stopping them. With the help of Data, he is successful. The First Contact meeting between Cochrane and the Vulcans proceeds and humanity is saved once again

5. Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country (1991). The finale of the Original Film series revolves around a peace initiative between the Federation and the Klingons, spearheaded by Captain Spock. Captain Kirk, who harbors deep resentment for the Klingons, is in the ironic position of escorting their flagship to an upcoming peace conference.
The mission is sabotaged and the Klingon president is assassinated. Kirk and McCoy are arrested for the crime and sent to a Klingon prison. Spock, now in command of the Enterprise, launches an unauthorized mission into Klingon space to save Kirk and McCoy. Spock is successful in rescuing them. Together he and Kirk uncover the conspiracy behind the assassination involving Romulan, Klingon, and Federation officials.

Kirk and the Enterprise save the Federation president from an assassin’s bullet at the last minute with the help of Captain Sulu from the Excelsior. A new era of peace between the Klingons and the Federation has been launched. It’s an excellent storyline and a fitting final chapter for the Original Enterprise crew.

4. Star Trek: Insurrection (1998). In my opinion, this was the best of the Next Gen films and the one most consistent with the spirit of the television series. Captain Picard uncovers a devil’s bargain between Starfleet Admiral Dougherty and a race of thugs called the Son’a, who’ve discovered a way to capture virtual immortality. Unfortunately, their plan involves the destruction of a planet and relocation of its inhabitants, the Baku. Picard rails against the injustice of removing a smaller race for the convenience of a larger one and vows to stop Admiral Dougherty and the Sonar.

Picard and crew are successful in thwarting the evil plans of the Son’a and saving the Ba’ku. Also intertwined in the plot is romance between Picard and a hot looking 300 year old Ba’ku woman named Anij, played by Donna Murphy. The relationship is never consummated. However, while Picard doesn’t get lucky, his first officer, Commander Riker does, rekindling his on again, off again affair with Counselor Troi. This ties up another Next Gen storyline which has been left dangling for many years.

3. Star Trek III: The Search for Spock (1984). Admiral Kirk and the Enterprise crew are mourning the death of Spock. Kirk learns Dr. McCoy is in possession of Spock’s eternal spirit. Neither of his two best friends will gain peace until he returns both to Vulcan.

Kirk and crew disobey orders, stealing the Enterprise out of space dock and embarking on a mission to secure Spock’s body from the Genesis planet. Meanwhile, his son David and Lt. Saavik stationed on the Science vessel Grissom, encounter a regenerated Spock on the planet Genesis. An evil Klingon commander, Kruge, played by Christopher Lloyd, captures Spock, David and Saavik. The Enterprise is crippled in a firefight and Kirk is rendered helpless as the Klingons kill David on the planet’s surface.
A vengeful and determined Kirk tricks the Klingons, killing their commander, capturing their ship and saving Spock. Kirk and crew return Spock to Vulcan where the high priestess merges the body of Spock with his spirit held by McCoy.

2. Star Trek: Into Darkness (2012). This is a great alternative twist on the “Khan” storyline from the Original Series. A madman named Harrison, later revealed to be Khan, launches an attack on Starfleet headquarters killing Kirk’s friend and mentor, Captain Christopher Pike. Admiral Marcus sends Kirk and the Enterprise on a mission to kill Khan, who is hiding out in Klingon
space.

Kirk captures Khan but declines to kill him. Unfortunately, this interferes with the secret plans of Admiral Marcus, who intends to start a war with the Klingons. Marcus, commanding the USS Vengeance, intends to destroy the Enterprise. Kirk and Khan enter into an unlikely alliance to take over Marcus’ ship. They succeed but Khan double crosses Kirk and tries to destroy the Enterprise. In an ironic twist on the original plot for Star Trek II, it is now Kirk who sacrifices himself to save the Enterprise ship from a radiation leak. Spock helplessly watches him die and is now hell bent on revenge.
Spock pursues Khan to Earth and the superhuman squares off against the Vulcan with superhuman strength. Uhura aids Spock in subduing Khan. Spock is about to kill him when Uhura screams that they need a blood transfusion from a living Khan to save Kirk. Kirk’s is brought back to life by Dr. McCoy and Khan is cryogenically frozen again.

1. Star Trek II: “The Wrath of Khan” (1982). It’s fitting that both of the top Trek movies ever, revolve around “Khan”, by far the finest villain of Star Trek’s entire history. 15 years after Kirk marooned Khan and his crew on Ceti Alpha Five, the genetically engineered superhuman returns, hell bent on revenge. He captures the USS Reliant and sets his sights on Starfleet’s secret project called “Genesis”, a scientific experiment which also doubles as a devastating weapon.

Khan (Ricardo Mantalban) ambushes Kirk and the Enterprise, leaving the ship defenseless. However, our resourceful Captain turns the tables, compromising the Reliant’s prefix code, which causes it to lower its shields. The battle is a stalemate and Khan is forced to withdraw. Kirk encounters his former lover Carol Marcus and estranged son, David, giving us an opportunity to see his more human side. Khan captures the Genesis device but Kirk outsmarts him launching a trap which leaves the Reliant in shambles. However, a dying Khan, is determined to unleash revenge on Kirk and the Enterprise and launches the Genesis device against an Enterprise which is defenseless due to a radiation leak. Enter Captain Spock, who repairs the leak, saving the ship but subjecting himself to fatal radiation poisoning in the process.

Kirk watches helpless as Spock dies behind a glass screen. One of Trek’s most beloved characters has been killed off (at least for now). The story line is brilliant and, in my view, “The Wrath of Khan” is by far the best all the Star Trek films.

So there is it! This is my ranking of the 12 Star Trek films over the past 35 years. I’m curious what all of you Star Trek fans out there think? I welcome your thoughts and feedback.

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